Riverside Pilots

• Location: Riverside, CA
• League: California League 1993-1995
• Affiliation: Seattle Mariners 1993-1995
• Ballpark: Riverside Sports Complex

In 1993 the Reno Silver Sox relocated to Riverside, CA and took on the name Riverside Pilots. The team was affiliated with the Seattle Mariners their first season and finished second in the southern division in both halves. Overall the Pilots were 76-61 for manager Dave Myers. Attendance was 68,821, last in the California League. The star was All-Star 2B Arquimedez Pozo, who hit .342/~.406/.526, led the league with 44 doubles and was fourth in average. He was voted the #4 prospect by league managers. Jim Gutierrez (12-9, 3.78) was the pitching ace. Going on to the best careers would be catcher Chris Widger (.264/~.301/.428) and pitchers Ron Villone (7-4, 4.21), Jim Mecir (9-11, 4.33) and Derek Lowe (12-9, 5.26).

In '94 Riverside won both halves in the southern division (87-49 overall) but Myers' squad lost to the inferior Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in the playoffs. Attendance was 85,358, lowest in the Cal League. Matt Apana (14-4, 2.83) finished fourth in ERA and was named pitcher of the year. Bob Wolcott (14-8, 2.84) was fifth in ERA. Joining Apana as an All-Star were shortstop Desi Relaford (.310/.429/.449; second in OBP and fourth in average, 27 SB, 95 R, voted the #2 prospect) and outfielder Charles Gipson (.293/.401/.337, 34 SB, a league-high 102 runs).

The 1995 edition of the team went 72-67 for Dave Brundage. Attendance fell to 56,601 and the club decided to move to Lancaster, CA where they became the Lancaster JetHawks. The team again had the #4 and #5 men in ERA - Trey Moore (14-6, 3.09, rated the #8 prospect) and Ryan Smith (10-7, 3.11). They also had two All-Stars: catcher Raul Ibanez (.332/~.400/.612, 108 RBI in 95 games) and third baseman Rick Ladjevich (.309/~.373/.409). Jose Cruz Jr. (.257/~.363/.465) was voted the #3 prospect in the circuit.

In 1996 the team moved to Lancaster, CA and became the Lancaster JetHawks.

Sources: 1994-1996 Baseball Almanacs, 1995 Baseball Guide

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs	Hitting Coach	Pitching Coach
1993	76-61	4th	Dave Myers	Lost in 1st round	Manny Cervantes	Bryan Price
1994	87-49	2nd	Dave Myers	Lost in 1st round		Ron Romanick
1995	72-67	6th	Dave Brundage	Lost in 1st round	Delwyn Young Sr.	Juan Eichelberger